Some do. some don't.
I have seen Signs saying "Half Way" at quite a few HM races
I have noticed that there is normally a big sign at the begining saying Start and one at the end saying Finish. I always find them helpful, but not as helpful as the Marshals who say "Not far to go now".
I've never even thought about it!
Tommygun2 wrote (see)
Like the one in the last race who said that at the 3 mile marker ... and then laughed ......... GRRRR!!!!!
I think there must be some sort of Marshal's charter where you are bound to say such hilarious things whilst stand at a road junction with your arm out pointing.
My motto is "Never Believe a Marshall". Especially when they say no more hills, or water just round the corner.
I've seen half way signs at the odd HM. But have to say, I've not found it essential.
why on earth would you want a half way sign.......you run to the mile markers....if you want to know buy a garmin
if you have marshalled you know how hard it is to keep on saying the same things again and again.....................butr yes no more hills and not far to go should only be said if they are true
as a marshal, my only phrase is "good running!" even when on the first corner, just 200 metres from the start...must work on this
Because part of the fun of running a half marathon is that the maths are hard and it takes your mind off the pain!
Clearly you've never marshalled a long distance race.
As if you had perhaps you'd find that it's hard to give 1,000 separate witty comments out individually
But part of the fun of marshalling is taking the piss. If you're at the bottom of a stonking great climb you have to say "it's all flat from here in". It's the law. And to the tailenders you have to say "c'mon mate/dear, you can still win this one".
I expect nothing else from marshals ... why give up your free time on a Sunday morning without at least getting a laugh out of it?
My favourite is warning of speed bumps ahead - ie holding a sign to notify runners of this - and hearing the replies along the lines of ' okay I'll slow down then'!
Muttley, don't worry, I love marshalling the Marlow half.
Mostly because I'd hate to run it!
Really hilly, so you'll end up miles off your best time, and not even a medal!
Actually I have mashraled at race or two but alway seem to miss the pre race meeting.
(as a cavet, marshals do a blinding job and at no point would i denegrate that)
I don't really like markers at half way - especially in a marathon as my heart sort of sinks when I realise I still have the same distance to go and my legs are already starting to hurt a bit. In a HM I prefer to go through 7 miles and realise I'm more than half way and there is less than a 10k to go
